Bellows-fold coupling



(No Model.)

E. L. PERRY. BBLLDWS 'FAO'LD GOUPLING. No. 449,587. Patented Mar. 31, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDW'ARD L. PERRY, OE PATERSON, NEINT JERSEY.

BELLOWS-FOLD COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming pai-t of Letters Patent m1449587, dated Maren 31, 1891.

Application tiled January 2l, 1891.

To LZZ whom may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. PERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing atvPaterson, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bellows-Fold Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in what are termed bellows-fold couplings or connections, such as are used in making connection between the ends of adjacent cars to complete a platformvestibule.

It has for its object to provide an improved coupling of this character which shall be stronger than those heretofore devised and which shall therefore be more durable and in which the layers are so arranged that if the 11e-enforce at one place breaks the folds will yet be held together. I construct the folding device or sections thereof with the textile layer or layers continuous at the point of fold instead of being in sections, as heretofore. Prior to my invention the textile layers have been arranged doubled upon themselves in each fold, but did not extend from one fold int-o and form a part of the other. Hence there was a weak place in each fold, which cannot occur where the textile layers are continuous and extend around and form a part of the angles in the device, asin myconstruction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which-A Figure l is a transverse section of the bellows-fold device. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view with one of the gusset-pieces broken and the fold spread out.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in both views where t-hey occur.

Serial No..378,53l. (No model.)

The end folds A and B constitute the portions which are designed to be secured to the adjacent objects which it is desired to connect by the folding device. This connection may be made in any suitable manner, as by rivets or other analogous means.

The manner of applying the device is not of this invention, which resides solely in the construction of the folding coupling. Hence no means for attaching the same has been shown.

I form the fabric, for such it may be called, of continuous strips of lengths to suit the purpose for which it is to be used. I employ strips of rubber and some suitable textile fabric. The rubber strips I have designated by the letter A and the textile strips by the letter B. These are arranged, as shown, with the textile strips confined between the strips of rubber, being all continuous at the apex of the angles, as seen at D in both tigures of the drawings. The end folds VA and B, I sometimes strengthen by an additional strip of rubber and textile fabric, as vseen in Fig. 1, although this is not at all times necessary. The rubber strips are usually applied while in a plastic state, but so prepared as to vulcanize to a proper degree, in which iiexibil'ity is important. After this the fabric may be hot-rolled and the vulcanizing effected. I re-enforce the angles both inside and outside by stays or gussetsC, which are composed of rubber and textile strips affixed in place in any suitable manner or means. This construction of fabric forms a very strong coupling and one in which, even should the re-enforces or gussets break, the fabric will not be materially weakened, the continuity of the rubber and textile strips at the point D serving as a durable union, as will be seen from Fig. 2, where one of the gussets is shown as broken, and still the angle is practically as strong as ever, which would not be the case it' the strips were folded upon themselves at the angle, as has been proposed. This continuity of the strips is most essential, as it strengthens the fabric at a place where greatest strength is required. The parts will pull out straight, as seen in Fig. 2, before any strain is placed upon the fold in the material at the angle, sind therefore it will not, readily In testimony that claim the above have break or separate at these points. hereunto subscribed my mime in the presence 1o That I claim as new isof two Witnesses. As an improved article of nmnufacl'vure, 'L T f P i C 5 bellows-fold device Composed of strlps of rub- LD ARI L 1 l RT ber and textile fabric, the latter being cou- \\"itnesses: tinuous a1; the apex of the angle of the folds, L. C. HILLS,

substantially as specified. XV. ("r. VINANS. 

